cabrio993

So, you are saying that I could buy an R8 in 3 years for only $33K???

I truly doubt it. This is not your typical Toyota Camry depreciation curve here...these are limited run production cars.

I would say that you'd probably see 2007 R8's in the $60K- $70K range 3 years from now.

So if you lease, and the residual is $40K, you could sell it and pay off the lease or just buy it at lease end.

B-Line

As I said, the first few years may be an anoymoly because of the high premiums the cars are fetching.
So no, in 3 years, you won't be able to buy it for $33k but again, it's also not a $100,000 car. It's a $120,000 car.
- Second, in 3 years, you will be able to buy an Audi S8, for under $40k. The RS4's, the RS6's, etc. the Audi "speciality" cars, do not hold value well, AT ALL.

If a R8 is worth $60k (50% residual) in 3 years, that is still a horrible figure. I'm not sure what the 997 lease residuals are but I would imagine they are in the 55%-58% range.

And, I'm not talking about about a Toyota Camry depreciation curve either. I would probably be ok with Camry depreciation. What I am considered with is "AUDI" high end, depreciation - which has shown, over and over again, to be much worse than it's German counterparts.

B

cabrio993

Interesting figures. Would you mind sharing which numbers you are using to draw that conclusion? Just curious...

B-Line

Sure,

Audi S8, 3 year, 12k mile, residual = 40% (Great car btw, but at a near $2500/month for a lease, thanks but I'll pass.)

B

cabrio993

Agreed, I'd pass too. I wouldn't pay $2500/month for any car, much less for a lease.

However, the numbers that I was refering to are the ones by which you based this statement:

""AUDI" high end, depreciation - which has shown, over and over again, to be much worse than it's German counterparts."

You said that it has shown over and over again....where has it shown? Do you have comparison figures for its German counterparts? Or is your statement based on a personal opinion?

B-Line

To be quite honest, you have caught me red handed.
As residuals and money factors change so often, NO, I do not have any documents that support my allegation.
As an Audi owner, I can tell I struck a nerve with you and I apologize for doing so, without the "hard facts".

But I also have owned audi's. a 1997 A4 2.8 quattro, then a 2000 S4 biturbo. I was very fond of both those vehicles.

But in my research, Audi's do not lease as well as their BMW counter parts. Futhermore, they also do not retain the same resale value. At least, not in my experience. The 6 series as compared to the bmw 5. Or the 8 series compared to the BMW 7. Even the A4 which is a big mover for Audi, I don't believe has the same residuals or money factors as BMW, for the most part.

I have never tried to lease a Porsche, so I can't speak first hand on how they lease, other than to imagine they have pretty high residuals..

But, in the boards that I visit, it seems to be universal knowledge that Audi's don't have great resale, as such, don't have great residuals. I hope the R8 is different and if I'm wrong, please, enlighten me. I am a big fan of the Audi brand. Just wish they held their values better as it would make it less expensive to own one.

B

cabrio993

Hey B,

Sorry if I came across wrong, I didn't mean to attack your post. I've just heard the same statement many times from others but have yet to see hard facts about it. So I was just curious to see these numbers myself for my own enlightenment if nothing else.

I just haven't felt any worst depreciation with any of my previous Audis than with any other brands that I've owned, including some that claimed to hold their value well. But then again, it is just my personal experience.

In the case of the R8, I'm interested to see what happens in the next 3 years. If it is able to hold somewhat of a "super-car" status, you may see values holding high, but if they start to be viewed as nothing more than glorified TT's, we may see these great cars at attainable prices in the used market. So in this case, I'm hoping that you are right so I can afford one in the near future and park it next to my 993.

YellowBull

It would be a total shock to me if R8 values plummeted to the levels that are mentioned here. On the contrary, I believe that the R8 values will hold considerably well, considering demand and supply. With such a short supply of inventory, there is no doubt in my mind that a first year R8 will lose very little, if any, value. I plan to drive mine for a year and sell it for what I paid for it at MSRP.

This car is absolutely incredible. After reading all the raving reviews from the car magazines, I had very high expectations of this car. After driving the car around the track this past weekend, I must say that this car fulfilled all my expectations. It is an absolute bargain at $109K and that will certainly factor into the equation. This car rivals my Gallardo and is considerably more user friendly. In addition, the 0-60 times are sorely understated. This car is very quick and is much faster than the specs indicate.

IamSMC

Audi R8 VS Porsche 997 Carrera 4S

Turbodan

The value will depend on whether or not they still produce this car in 3 years. I hope so but you never know. ie Phaeton, bmw 850i can't think of any other good examples right now.

agdamis

I am so sick of this car it is unreal. I don't care how cool it is, it is not worth $120K. Since this very last batch of cars the last remotely interesting car Audi has made has been the Rally star Quattro and the Autounion race cars. Reliability????? I do not know what some of the guys on this board are driving but a late nineties A4 a family member had imploded and I am not kidding. My father's Audi 80 of the late 80's also imploded. Guys, did not break down..................IMPLODED!!! Not to mention the 3 or 4 VWs I had that blew up.

I know that the following statement will irritate a bunch of you but Quattro is not fun to drive never was and never will which is why our beloved Porsche makes their 4 and 4Ss rear will drivers with some front wheel pull only when neccessary. BMW will always rock their world and will always be the real driver's car end of story! It is no accident MB and Audi just copy and play catch to the "ultimate driving machine." Look at local grassroots race tracks and let me know if there are any Audis anywhere? For those of you that said NO congrats you are correct you know why. Because they are not driver's cars that's why and it takes a good platform to make a good race car. And please do not make your comeback the Le Mans winners as factory efforts are not what we are discussing here.

Now I agree Audi has made massive strides and yes I think their cars have improved greatly and yes the RS6 and RS4 and the R8 are nice efforts but as long as BMW has an M-division and Porsche and Ferrari are making cars no thank you, you can keep your Audis.

Lastly, It will be a very, very sad day when Peich gets his way and destroys our beloved mark my mixing it with the VW/AUDI group.

pcar964

+1

YellowBull

Well, better keep your eyes peeled as Audi zooms right past BMW in both performance and market share. IMHO, Audi is setting the trend in new technology and design. Have you seen the fugly BMW designs lately? The rear looks like a hunchback.

quasr

Loved that Youtube piece on the competition between the Audi and a Porsche 997 C4. Seems the Porsche held it's own.

cabrio993

+1